Solid Construct Mitral Spacer

ABSTRACT

A heart valve implant according to one embodiment may include a shaft extending generally along a longitudinal axis of the heart valve implant having at least one anchor configured to be coupled to a first end of the shaft. A spacer may include a plurality of individual segments each including at least one passageway configured to be disposed about the shaft. The plurality of individual segments may define an outer surface of the spacer which is configured to interact with at least a portion of at least one cusp of a heart valve to at least partially restrict a flow of blood through the heart valve in a closed position. The plurality of individual segments may each having a length and at least one cross-section dimension no larger than an internal cross-section of a lumen of a delivery catheter.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the repair and/or correction of dysfunctional heart valves, and more particularly pertains to heart valve implants and systems and methods for delivery and implementation of the same.

BACKGROUND

A human heart has four chambers, the left and right atrium and the left and right ventricles. The chambers of the heart alternately expand and contract to pump blood through the vessels of the body. The cycle of the heart includes the simultaneous contraction of the left and right atria, passing blood from the atria to the left and right ventricles. The left and right ventricles then simultaneously contract forcing blood from the heart and through the vessels of the body. In addition to the four chambers, the heart also includes a check valve at the upstream end of each chamber to ensure that blood flows in the correct direction through the body as the heart chambers expand and contract. These valves may become damaged, or otherwise fail to function properly, resulting in their inability to properly close when the downstream chamber contracts. Failure of the valves to properly close may allow blood to flow backward through the valve resulting in decreased blood flow and lower blood pressure.

Mitral regurgitation is a common variety of heart valve dysfunction or insufficiency. Mitral regurgitation occurs when the mitral valve separating the left coronary atrium and the left ventricle fails to properly close. As a result, upon contraction of the left ventricle blood may leak or flow from the left ventricle back into the left atrium, rather than being forced through the aorta. Any disorder that weakens or damages the mitral valve can prevent it from closing properly, thereby causing leakage or regurgitation. Mitral regurgitation is considered to be chronic when the condition persists rather than occurring for only a short period of time.

Regardless of the cause, mitral regurgitation may result in a decrease in blood flow through the body (cardiac output). Correction of mitral regurgitation typically requires surgical intervention. Surgical valve repair or replacement is carried out as an open heart procedure. The repair or replacement surgery may last in the range of about three to five hours, and is carried out with the patient under general anesthesia. The nature of the surgical procedure requires the patient to be placed on a heart-lung machine. Because of the severity/complexity/danger associated with open heart surgical procedures, corrective surgery for mitral regurgitation is typically not recommended until the patient's ejection fraction drops below 60% and/or the left ventricle is larger than 45 mm at rest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantage of the claimed subject matter will be apparent from the following description of embodiments consistent therewith, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a mitral valve implant consistent with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment mitral valve implant consistent with the present disclosure implanted within a heart in an open position;

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment mitral valve implant consistent with the present disclosure implanted within a heart in a closed position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the mitral valve implant shown in FIG. 1 in an unassembled state consistent with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an end view of one embodiment of the spacer segment consistent with the mitral valve implant according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an end view of another embodiment of the spacer segment consistent with the mitral valve implant according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an end view of one embodiment of the spacer consistent with the mitral valve implant according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the spacer shown in FIG. 7 taken along lines VIII-VIII;

FIG. 9 depict various arrangements of the spacer segments of a mitral valve implant consistent with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 depicts one embodiment of an implant delivery system consistent with the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of one embodiment of a mitral valve implant 10 is depicted. As shown, mitral valve implant 10 may generally include a spacer or valve body portion 12 which may be coupled to a shaft 14. The shaft 14 may be coupled to at least one anchor portion 16 configured to couple, attach, and/or otherwise secure the mitral valve implant 10 to native coronary tissue. In general, at least a portion of the spacer 12 may be configured to be disposed proximate a mitral valve such that the mitral valve implant 10 may interact and/or cooperate with at least a portion of the native mitral valve to reduce and/or eliminate excessive regurgitation as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The spacer 12 of the mitral valve implant 10 shown in FIG. 1 may include a plurality of individual segment 20 a-20 n. As will be explained in greater detail hereinbelow, the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n may be configured to be delivered and assembled proximate an implant site of the mitral valve implant 10 to form a spacer 12 having an overall size and shape configured to accommodate, at least in part, a patient's anatomy, etiology of valve regurgitation, and/or the limitations of the implant delivery system. Each of the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n may be configured to have a size and shape such that at least one dimension of the segment 20 a-20 n is no larger than at least one internal dimension of the implant delivery system used to deliver the mitral valve implant 10 to the implant site. As such, a mitral valve implant 10 may be constructed having a spacer 12 with at least one cross-sectional dimension that is larger than the internal cross-sectional dimensions of the implant delivery system used to deliver the mitral valve implant 10.

According to one aspect, the mitral valve implant 10 and the spacer 12 is shown in an unassembled/partially assembled state in FIG. 4. The plurality of segments 20 a-20 n may be slidably coupled over at least a portion of the shaft 14. For example, the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n may each include at least one passageway 22 configured to accept at least a portion of the shaft 14. As illustrated, one or more of the passageways 22 may define a generally cylindrical opening or passageway having an internal dimension (e.g., an internal radius) substantially corresponding to the outer radius of a generally cylindrical shaft 14. The internal dimension of the passageway 22 may sufficiently greater than the outer radius of the shaft 14 such that the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n may move along a non-linear shaft 14. In other words, the internal radius of the passageway 22 may be large enough such that the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n may move along the longitudinal length of a non-linear or curved shaft 14. The passageways 22 may be configured to generally extend completely around the circumference of the shaft 14 and/or may be configured to generally extend only around a portion of the circumference of the shaft 14.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the passageways 22 and/or the shaft 14 may have a shape other than a cylinder. For example, the passageways 22 and/or the shaft 14 may have a non-circular cross-section such as, but not limited to, an oval or elliptical cross-section or the like. For example, the passageways 22 and/or the shaft 14 may form a lock-and-key type arrangement configured to prevent the segments 20 a-20 n from rotating about radial direction of the shaft 14.

Referring to FIG. 5, a cross-section of segment 22 n of FIG. 4 is shown. The body 24 of segment 22 n may include an outer surface 26 which may define at least a portion of the outer surface 27 (FIG. 1) of the spacer 12 when assembled and at least one cross-sectional surface 28. According to one aspect, the body 24 may have a generally circular sector or pie-piece cross-section. The passageway 22 may be formed as a separate component from the body 24 and may be coupled, attached, molded, bonded or otherwise secured to the body 24 of the segment 22 n. The passageway 22 may also be formed as an integral, unitary, and/or single component with the body 24. According to one aspect, the passageway 22 may be disposed proximate a centerline of the spacer 12. For example, the passageway 22 may be disposed proximate an intersection between the first and the second cross-sectional surfaces 28 a, 28 b. The passageway 22 may also be disposed within an internal region of the body 24 as shown in FIG. 6.

As mentioned above, the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n may be constructed to form a spacer 12, FIG. 7, having an outer surface configured to, at least in part, accommodate a patient's anatomy, etiology of valve regurgitation, and the limitations of the implant delivery system. A cross-sectional view of the assembled spacer 12 in FIG. 7 is illustrated in FIG. 8. According to one aspect, the passageways 22 a-22 n of each of the plurality of segments 20 a-2 n may be aligned serially along the longitudinal axis of the spacer 12. For example, each of the passageways 22 a-22 n, FIGS. 9 a-9 d, may be spaced along the longitudinal axis of each of the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n. According to this aspect, the passageways 22 a-22 n do not overlap each other when the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n are assembled as shown in FIG. 8. The passageways 22 a-22 n may be evenly spaced along the longitudinal axis of the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n such that each passageway 22 a-22 n substantially abuts against at least one adjacent passageway 22 a-22 n. Such an arrangement aids in the construction of the spacer 12 since the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n may only fit together in a single configuration. The passageways 22 a-22 n may also be unevenly spaced along the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n and/or may at least partially overlap each other. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a variety of geometries and configurations exist depending on the desired overall size and shape of the spacer 12 as well as the dimensional limitations of the implant delivery system.

According to one aspect, at least a portion of the body 24 of one or more of the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n may be expandable, retractable, collapsible and/or reducible in volume to facilitate percutaneous and/or transluminal delivery of the mitral valve implant 10. In such a manner, one or more of the segments 20 a-20 n of the mitral valve implant 10 may include a collapsible member, which may be reduced in volume and/or reduced in maximum cross-section during delivery to the heart and/or during placement and/or attachment of the anchor 16 to native coronary tissue. After delivery to the heart, the segments 20 a-20 n may be expanded, inflated, and/or otherwise increased in volume or size. Accordingly, the mitral valve implant 10 may be delivered to an implantation site via a smaller diameter catheter, and/or via smaller vessels, than would otherwise be required.

The deformable segments 20 a-20 n may be collapsed to a reduced size, which may, for example, facilitate loading the mitral valve implant 10 into a catheter delivery system. Such a catheter delivery system may be suitable for transluminal delivery of a mitral valve implant 10, including the segments 20 a-20 n, to the heart as will be explained further below. In addition to being collapsed, the segments 20 a-20 n may be deformed to facilitate loading into a catheter delivery system. For example, the segments 20 a-20 n may be collapsed and may be rolled and/or folded to a generally cylindrical shape, allowing the segments 20 a-20 n to be loaded in a catheter having a circular lumen.

A collapsed and/or rolled or folded segments 20 a-20 n may be inflated, restoring the segments 20 a-20 n to expanded configuration. For example, a collapsed and/or rolled or folded segments 20 a-20 n may be inflated and restored to an expanded configuration once the mitral valve implant 10 has been delivered to the heart and deployed from a catheter delivery system. Inflating the segments 20 a-20 n may be carried out by introducing a fluid, such as saline, into the at least one cavity of the segments 20 a-20 n. In addition to a liquid, such as saline, the segments 20 a-20 n may be inflated with a setting or curable fluid. The setting or curable fluid may set and/or be cured to a solid and/or semi-solid state within the cavity of the segments 20 a-20 n. An example of such a material may be a thermoset polymer resin, a gel material, such as silicone gel, etc.

At least a portion of the segments 20 a-20 n may also be constructed from a shape-memory material. For example, at least a portion of the segments 20 a-20 n may include a shape-memory alloy such as, but not limited to, copper-zinc-aluminum, copper-aluminum-nickel, and nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloys. The shape-memory alloy may include either one-way or two-way shape memory and may be introduced in to the delivery catheter lumen having a shape which does not exceed the interior dimensions of the delivery catheter lumen. For example, the segments 20 a-20 n may have a generally elongated or generally helical shape. Upon delivery to proximate the mitral valve, the shape-memory segments 20 a-20 n may be heated to cause the segments 20 a-20 n to deform into the desired shape for installation.

Alternatively (or in addition), one or more of the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n may have generally solid geometry. As used herein, the phrases “generally solid geometry,” “substantially solid geometry,” or the like are intended to mean a geometry having an outer surface that defines a substantially fixed or constant volume. That is, a volume of the segments 20 a-20 n does not substantially change before and after implantation of the mitral valve implant 10. A “generally solid geometry” may include, without limitation, a solid, semi-solid, or porous (e.g., micro- or nano-scale pores) material. The use a plurality of segments 20 a-20 n having a generally solid geometry may reduce the complexity and/or cost associated with the fabrication and/or implantation of the mitral valve implant 10 while still allowing a mitral valve implant 10 with a spacer 12 that is at least as large as, or optionally larger than, the implant delivery system used to deliver the mitral valve implant 10.

At least a portion of the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n may be constructed from a synthetic and/or biological material depending on the application and the patient condition. The segments 20 a-20 n may include a plurality of layers. For example, the segments 20 a-20 n may include an open or closed cell foam substrate (for example, but not limited to, Invalon polyvinyl) and an outer layer of a material that is biologically acceptable. The outer layer may also include a material that is soft and/or deformable (either permanently or resiliently deformable) that may reduce and/or eliminate further scarring and/or damage to the leaflets 19 of the mitral valve 18. According to one aspect, the substrate of the segments 20 a-20 n may be coated with a silicone urethane composite such as, but not limited to, Elasteon or the like.

The plurality of segments 20 a-20 n, when assembled, may form a spacer 12 having an outer surface 27 that may be configured to interact and/or cooperate with at least a portion of the native mitral valve 18 (e.g., the leaflets 19) to reduce and/or eliminate excessive regurgitation as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. According to one aspect, the mitral valve implant 10 (and in particular, the spacer 12) may be selected from a range or set of sizes and shapes. For example, a “standard set” may be utilized where a set of “consensus” sizes and shapes mitral valve implants 10 are pre-manufactured and provided to health care providers as a kit. This particular aspect has the advantage of being the most uniform and therefore the least expensive for the patient. Alternatively, a “custom design” may be fabricated where the exact size and shape is determined only after precise and/or detailed measurements of the dimensions of a patient's mitral valve 18 are obtained. As a result, the overall size and/or shape of the mitral valve implant 10 may be tapered or shaped if necessary.

In practice, the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n may be aligned serially along at least a portion of the shaft 14 (i.e., one segment 20 a after another segment 20 b) and inserted into the implant delivery system 100, a portion of which is generally depicted in FIG. 10. The implant delivery system 100 may include a catheter 101 having a generally circular inner passageway 104. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the catheter 101 may include any catheter known to those skilled in art. While only a single passageway 104 is shown for clarity, the catheter 101 may include a plurality of passageways 104. According to one aspect, the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n may be rotated about the shaft 14 such that each of the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n is aligned in a substantially similar or substantially the same orientation with respect to each other. As such, overall cross-sectional dimensions of the mitral valve implant 10 may be minimized. Additionally, the mitral valve implant 10 may be inserted into a catheter 101 having a reduced diameter.

Once loaded into the delivery catheter system 100, the mitral valve implant 10 may be moved or delivered proximate the implant site using any device know to those skilled in the art. While moving the mitral valve implant 10 through the delivery catheter system 100, the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n may be individually rotated about the shaft 14 to facilitate movement of the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n. This may be particularly useful to facilitate navigating the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n about curves, bends or the like 106. The shaft 14 may include a generally rigid shaft and/or a generally flexible shaft.

According to another aspect, shaft 14 and the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n may be separately loaded into the catheter delivery system 100 and delivered to the implant site. According to this aspect, the shaft 14 (which may optionally include the anchor portion 16) may be first loaded into the catheter delivery system and the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n may be subsequently serially loaded into the catheter delivery system 100. Of course, the order of loading and/or delivering the shaft 14 and/or plurality of segments 20 a-20 to the implant site may be changed.

Once the shaft 14 and the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n are proximate the implant site, the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n may be disposed or arranged about the shaft 14 to construct a spacer 12 having a desired size and shape. While the spacer 12 is illustrated having a generally cylindrical outer surface, the size and shape of the spacer 12 and each of the plurality of segments 20 a-20 n may be varied by design and by quantity to accommodate the patient anatomy, etiology, and limitations of the delivery system 100 (e.g., the internal dimensions of the catheter lumen).

According to an embodiment, the spacer 12, FIG. 1, may be slidably coupled to the shaft 14. The spacer 12 may include an opening 46 (which may be defined by one or more of the passageways 22 a-n) extending from a first end 44 of the spacer 12, through the spacer 12, and to a second end 40. In one such embodiment, the opening 46 may extend generally axially through the spacer 12 and may be sized to slidably receive at least a portion of the shaft 14 therethrough. The shaft 14 may include one or more stops 48, 50. The stops 48, 50 may be sized and/or shaped to control and/or restrict translation of the spacer 12 along the shaft 14 beyond the respective stops 48, 50. In this manner, in the illustrated embodiment, translation of the spacer 12 along the shaft 14 may be restricted to the expanse of the shaft 14 between the stops 48, 50.

One or more of the stops 48, 50 may be integrally formed with the shaft 14. Furthermore, one or more of the stops 48, 50 (such as, but not limited to, stop 50) may be provided as a separate member coupled to and/or formed on the shaft 14. In an embodiment in which one or more of the stops 48, 50 are integrally formed with the shaft 14, the spacer 12 may be slidably coupled to the shaft 14 by pressing the spacer 12 over at least one of the stops 48, 50, which may at least partially elastically deform the opening 46 to permit passage of at least one of the stops 48, 50. Once the one or more of the stops 48, 50 have been pressed through the opening 46, the opening 46 may at least partially elastically recover, thereby resisting passage of the one or more stops 48, 50 back through the opening 46. Various other arrangements may be employed for providing stops on the shaft 14 and/or for controlling and/or limiting translation of the spacer 12 along the shaft 14.

The anchor portion 16 may include a helical member 52 coupled to the shaft 14. As shown, the helical member 52 may be loosely wound such that adjacent turns of the helical member 52 do not contact one another, for example resembling a corkscrew-type configuration. The anchor portion 16 may be engaged with tissue by rotating the anchor portion 16 about the axis of the helical member 52, thereby advancing the anchor portion 16 into tissue. Consistent with such an embodiment, the anchor portion 16 may resist pulling out from the tissue. The anchor portion 16 may be provided as an extension of the shaft 14 wound in a helical configuration. Consistent with related embodiments, the anchor portion 16 may be formed as a separate feature and may be coupled to the shaft 14, e.g., using mechanical fasteners, welding, adhesive, etc.

According to various alternative embodiments, the anchor portion 16 may include various configurations capable of being coupled to and/or otherwise attached to native coronary tissue. For example, the anchor portion 16 may include one or more prongs adapted to pierce coronary tissue and to alone, or in conjunction with other features, resist removal of the anchor portion 16 from tissue. For example, the anchor portion 16 may include a plurality of prongs which may engage native coronary tissue. According to various other embodiments, the anchor portion 16 may include features that may facilitate attachment by suturing. Exemplary features to facilitate suturing may include rings or openings, suture penetrable tabs, etc. Various other anchor portions 16 that may allow attachment or coupling to native coronary tissue may also suitably be employed in connection with the present disclosure.

Turning to FIGS. 2 and 3, the mitral valve implant 10 is shown implanted within a heart 102. The mitral valve implant 10 may be disposed at least partially within the left ventricle 64 of the heart 102. As shown, the anchor portion 16 may be engaged with native coronary tissue within and/or adjacent to the left ventricle 64. The shaft 14, coupled to the anchor portion 16, may extend into the left ventricle 64. The shaft 14 may further extend at least partially within the mitral valve 18, i.e., the shaft 14 may extend at least partially between the cusps or leaflets 19 of the mitral valve 18, and may also extend at least partially into the left atrium 62. The spacer 12 of the mitral valve implant 10 may be positioned at least partially within the left ventricle 64 with the bottom portion 44 within the left ventricle 64 and with the upper portion 40 positioned at least partially within and/or pointed towards the left atrium 62.

FIG. 2 depicts the heart 102 in a condition in which the pressure of blood within the left atrium 62 is at equal to, or higher than, the pressure of blood within the left ventricle 64, e.g., during contraction of the left atrium 62. As shown, when the pressure of blood within the left atrium 62 is greater than or equal to the pressure of blood within the left ventricle 64, blood may flow from the left atrium 62 into the left ventricle 64. The pressure differential and/or the flow of blood from the left atrium 62 to the left ventricle 64 may slidably translate the spacer 12 along the shaft 14 toward the left ventricle 64, in the direction of blood flow between the chambers.

Sliding translation of the spacer 12 along the shaft 14 may at least partially withdraw the spacer 12 from the mitral valve 18 to an open position, as shown. When the spacer 12 is at least partially withdrawn from the mitral valve 18, a passage may be opened between the spacer 12 and the mitral valve 18, allowing blood to flow from the left atrium 62 to the left ventricle 64. Translation of the spacer 12 away from the mitral valve 18 may be controlled and/or limited by the stop 48. In the open position, the stop 48 may maintain the spacer 12 in general proximity to the mitral valve 18 while still permitting sufficient clearance between the mitral valve 18 and the spacer 12 to permit adequate blood flow from the left atrium 62 to the left ventricle 64. Additionally, the flow of blood from left atrium 62 to the left ventricle 64 may cause the mitral valve 18 to flare and/or expand outwardly away from the mitral valve implant 10, permitting blood flow between the implant 10 and the cusps 19 of the mitral valve 19.

As the left ventricle 64 contracts, the pressure of blood in the left ventricle 64 may increase such that the blood pressure in the left ventricle 64 is greater than the blood pressure in the left atrium 62. Additionally, as the pressure of the blood in the left ventricle 64 initially increases above the pressure of the blood in the left atrium 62, blood may begin to flow towards and/or back into the left atrium 62. The pressure differential and/or initial flow of blood from the left ventricle 64 into the left atrium 62 may act against the spacer 12 and may translate the spacer 12 toward the left atrium 104. For example, pressurized blood within the left ventricle 64 may act against the bottom 24 of the spacer 12 inducing sliding translation of the spacer 12 along the shaft 14 toward the left atrium 62.

In the closed position as shown in FIG. 3, the spacer 12 may be translated toward and/or at least partially into the left atrium 62. At least a portion of the spacer 12 may interact with, engage, and/or be positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the mitral valve 18. For example, at least a portion of at least one cusp 19 of the mitral valve 18 may contact at least a portion of the spacer 12. Engagement between the spacer 12 and the mitral valve 18 may restrict and/or prevent the flow of blood from the left ventricle 64 back into the left atrium 62.

In addition to the translation of the spacer 12, the mitral valve 18 may also at least partially close around the spacer 12, thereby also restricting and/or preventing the flow of blood from the left ventricle 64 to the left atrium 62. For example, as mentioned above, at least a portion of one or both of the cusps 19 of the mitral valve 18 may contact at least a portion of the spacer 12. In some embodiments, as the pressure of the blood in the left ventricle 64 increases, the pressure against the bottom 44 of the spacer 12 may increase. The increase in pressure against the bottom 44 of the spacer 12 may, in turn, increase the engagement between the spacer 12 and the mitral valve 18.

Sliding translation of the spacer 12 toward the left atrium 62 may at least partially be controlled and/or limited by the stop 50 coupled to the shaft 14. Additionally, translation of the spacer 12 toward the left atrium 62 may be at least partially limited and/or controlled by engagement between the spacer 12 and the mitral valve 18. One or both of these restrictions on the translation of the spacer 12 may, in some embodiments, prevent the spacer 12 from passing fully into the left atrium 62. Furthermore, the diameter and/or shape of the spacer 12 may limit and/or restrict the movement of the spacer 12 into the left atrium 62.

The preceding embodiment may, therefore, provide a mitral valve implant that is slidably translatable relative to the mitral valve to reduce and/or eliminate regurgitation. Additional embodiments of a mitral valve implant are described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/258,828, entitled “Heart Valve Implant” filed on Oct. 26, 2005, which is fully incorporated herein by reference. For example, the mitral valve implant may include a generally stationary spacer and may include more than one anchoring portions.

The implant herein has been disclosed above in the context of a mitral valve implant. An implant consistent with the present disclosure may also suitably be employed in other applications, e.g., as an implant associated with one of the other valves of the heart, etc. The present invention should not, therefore, be construed as being limited to use for reducing and/or preventing regurgitation of the mitral valve.

According to one aspect, the present disclosure features a heart valve implant. The heart valve implant may include a shaft extending generally along a longitudinal axis of the heart valve implant. A spacer may comprise a plurality of individual segments each including at least one passageway configured to be disposed about the shaft. The plurality of individual segments may define an outer surface of the spacer configured to interact with at least a portion of at least one cusp of a heart valve to at least partially restrict a flow of blood through the heart valve in a closed position. The heart valve implant may also include at least one anchor configured to be coupled to a first end region of the shaft.

According to another aspect, the present disclosure features a method of introducing a heart valve implant with respect to a heart valve. The method may include providing a heart valve implant comprising a shaft, a spacer including a plurality of individual segments each including at least one passageway configured to be disposed about the shaft, and at least one anchor configured to be coupled to the shaft. The plurality of individual segments may be serially aligned. The aligned plurality of individual segments and the shaft may be percutaneously delivered proximate the heart. The plurality of individual segments may be arranged about shaft to define the spacer wherein the plurality of individual segments define an outer surface of the spacer configured to interact with at least a portion of at least one cusp of the heart valve to at least partially restrict a flow of blood through the heart valve in a closed position. The heart valve implant may also be secured within the heart.

According to yet another aspect, the present disclosure features a heart valve implant system. The heart valve system may include a catheter including a lumen and a heart valve implant. The heart valve implant may comprise a shaft extending generally along a longitudinal axis of the heart valve implant. A spacer may include a plurality of individual segments each having a length and at least one cross-section dimension no larger than an internal cross-section of the lumen. The plurality of individual segments may be configured to be disposed about at least a portion of the shaft to define an outer surface of the spacer configured to interact with at least a portion of at least one cusp of a heart valve to at least partially restrict a flow of blood through the heart valve in a closed position. At least one anchor may be configured to be coupled to a first end region of the shaft.

As mentioned above, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to a system or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated or implied object or feature of the present disclosure and should not be limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the present disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as is suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present disclosure as determined by the claims when interpreted in accordance with breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled. 

1. A heart valve implant comprising: a shaft extending generally along a longitudinal axis of said heart valve implant; a spacer comprising a plurality of individual segments each including at least one passageway configured to be disposed about said shaft, wherein said plurality of individual segments define an outer surface of said spacer configured to interact with at least a portion of at least one cusp of a heart valve to at least partially restrict a flow of blood through said heart valve in a closed position; and at least one anchor configured to be coupled to a first end region of said shaft.
 2. A heart valve implant according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of individual segments defines at least a portion of said outer surface of said spacer when said plurality of individual segments are assembled about said shaft.
 3. A heart valve implant according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of individual segments includes a body portion having a generally circular sector cross-section.
 4. A heart valve implant according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of individual segments includes a body portion having a generally circular sector cross-section and wherein said at least one passageway is disposed proximate a centerline of said spacer.
 5. A heart valve implant according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of individual segments includes a body portion having a generally circular sector cross-section and wherein said at least one passageway is disposed through said body portion.
 6. A heart valve implant according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of individual segments includes a single passageway, wherein each of said passageways are evenly spaced along a longitudinal axis of said plurality of individual segments.
 7. A heart valve implant according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of individual segments are configured to move along said longitudinal axis of said shaft.
 8. A heart valve implant according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said passageways is configured to rotate about a radial axis of said shaft.
 9. A heart valve implant according to 7 wherein said at least one of said passageways includes an internal cross-section configured to allow said segment to move along a non-linear portion of said longitudinal axis of said shaft.
 10. A heart valve implant according to claim 7, wherein said at least one of said passageways is configured to be substantially non-rotatable about a radial axis of said shaft.
 11. A method of introducing a heart valve implant with respect to a heart valve comprising: providing a heart valve implant comprising a shaft, a spacer including a plurality of individual segments each including at least one passageway configured to be disposed about said shaft, and at least one anchor configured to be coupled to said shaft; serially aligning said plurality of individual segments; percutaneously delivering said aligned plurality of individual segments and said shaft proximate said heart; arranging said plurality of individual segments about said shaft to define said spacer, wherein said plurality of individual segments define an outer surface of said spacer configured to interact with at least a portion of at least one cusp of said heart valve to at least partially restrict a flow of blood through said heart valve in a closed position; and securing said heart valve implant within said heart.
 12. A method according to claim 11, wherein percutaneously delivering said aligned plurality of individual segments and said shaft comprises a catheterization intervention.
 13. A method according to claim 11, wherein percutaneously inserting said aligned plurality of individual segments and said shaft comprises inserting said aligned plurality of individual segments and said shaft into a lumen of a catheter and delivering said aligned plurality of individual segments and said shaft to said left ventricle via said catheter.
 14. A method according to claim 13 wherein further comprising aligning said plurality of individual segments substantially along a longitudinal axis of said shaft prior to percutaneously inserting said aligned plurality of individual segments and said shaft.
 15. A method according to claim 11, wherein percutaneously inserting said aligned plurality of individual segments and said shaft comprises radially rotating at least one of said individual segments about said shaft.
 16. A method according to claim 11, wherein aligning said plurality of individual segments comprises aligning said plurality of individual segments about said shaft in a predefined relationship with respect to each other.
 17. A method according to claim 16, wherein aligning said plurality of individual segments comprises moving said plurality of individual segments along a longitudinal axis of said shaft.
 18. A method according to claim 17 wherein moving said aligned plurality of individual segments along said longitudinal axis of said shaft comprises moving said plurality of individual segments longitudinally along a non-linear portion of said shaft.
 19. A heart valve implant system comprising: a catheter including a lumen; and a heart valve implant comprising: a shaft; a spacer comprising a plurality of individual segments each having a length and at least one cross-section dimension no larger than an internal cross-section of said lumen, wherein said plurality of individual segments are configured to be disposed about at least a portion of said shaft to define an outer surface of said spacer configured to interact with at least a portion of at least one cusp of a heart valve to at least partially restrict a flow of blood through said heart valve in a closed position; and at least one anchor configured to be coupled to a first end region of said shaft.
 20. A heart valve implant system according to claim 19, wherein said plurality of individual segments each include a body portion having a generally circular sector cross-section having a radius which is no larger than an internal diameter of said lumen.
 21. A heart valve implant system according to claim 19, wherein said spacer includes at least one cross-sectional dimension which is larger than said internal cross-section of said lumen. 